This weekend was...

...very low-key. I'm battling one of my infamous sinus infections and actually ended up staying home from work on Friday. I'm glad I did, because not only did my whole head hurt from sinus pressure, but it was an emotionally trying day. As you can see from my last post, Baby Jake passed away late Friday afternoon. An EEG found that Jake didn't have enough brain activity to survive, so the family gathered together, supported one another, took turns getting to hold this precious child and then let him go. There is no doubt in my mind that he is the family's own personal angel in Heaven, watching over them for the remainder of their lives. It was so much better to be able to cry on the phone with my mom in the comfort of my own home, rather than hiding in the break room at work. It would've just been too much for me to take.

The rest of the weekend consisted of relaxing and marking things off of my to-do list, such as starting to wrap Christmas presents, washing multiple loads of laundry, sending out sympathy cards, etc. We're in the middle of another winter storm here in Northern Colorado, so along with snow (started Saturday night and still hasn't stopped) came bitter cold temperatures. I had almost forgotten what it's like to step outside and feel your nose hairs start to freeze! Brrr! Obviously, avoiding having to go outside played a major role in the weekend as well.

I helped my Mom decorate the Christmas tree at my parents' house and gathered up all of my own decorations from the basement. I haven't tackled my decorating yet, but at least I have everything readily available now! As always, my parents' tree looks classy and gorgeous. My mother has quite the knack for decorating her Christmas tree and I have to admit I'm envious. I've picked up a few skills here and there and I really think my tree looks lovely and fun (it's a silver tree) every year, but it never quite compares to my Mom's...and, let's be honest, probably never will.

I think the highlight of this weekend came on Saturday evening. I'd been out running errands, still wasn't feel well at all, had a heavy heart over Jake and just needed some Erin time, which means: Barnes & Noble. B&N is my safe haven! This is where I go when I just need to lose myself a little. I always feel comforted by all of the books and conversations going on around me; there's a warmth to that store that I rarely find other than at my parents' house or in my own apartment. So, I bought a cup of extra hot coffee, picked a copy of Bright Star off of the shelf, settled into one of the comfy arm chairs and just indulged in some Me Time. It was wonderful. I was curled up in the chair long enough to read the entire book (a little over an hour), savor my coffee and get a few chuckles out of the conversations going on around me. By the time I vacated the arm chair, I was feeling much better and had a smile on my face. My throat and sinuses still hurt and my heart was still broken over Jake, but my soul felt refreshed.